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Search on to find the region's quirkiest events

05/02/2010

The English are well known for their eccentricities the world over. The East Midlands is no exception and East Midlands Tourism is running a public vote at www.discovereastmidlands.com asking people to find the region's most bizarre and quirky events. The winning events will then go up against those from other regions of England in the running for the new "Where Else But England" Award.

Racing hens, chasing hoods, hurling eggs and bottle kicking are just a few of the crazy contenders in the running for the award, which aims to celebrate some of the great pastimes that take place across England. 

The shortlist of seven events includes: *The World Toe Wrestling Championships in Derbyshire, a feast of foot foolery that sees contestants in wrestling outfits 'toe-off' on the Toedium to try and force their opponents foot to the ground; an eggtastic extravaganza in Lincolnshire with everything from egg hurling and relays to egg roulette at The World Egg Throwing competition; contestants trying to see off their opponent with nothing but a conker and a piece of string at the World Conker Championships in Northamptonshire and villagers doing battle with each other to gain possession of a small wooden keg referred to as the 'bottle' at Hallaton Bottle Kicking in Leicestershire.

As well as voting on the shortlist the public will also be able to leave their own nominations of eccentric experiences they've either watched or taken part in across the East Midlands. The two nominations with the highest number of votes will go forward to compete against some of England's other weird and whacky events, to be crowned England's most eccentric experience. The winner will be announced on St George's Day in Brighton, as part of the Enjoy England Excellence Awards which will also include finalists from some of the region's top hotels and attractions.

Ruth Hyde, Director of East Midlands Tourism said:
"With the growing trend for 'Staycations' these quirky events provide a fun and unusual day out for visitors, as well as showcasing some of our more curious customs that exist across England. Also appealing to overseas visitors, these events provide a uniquely English experience."

The quirky contenders are:
World Hen Racing Championships - Derbyshire
World Toe Wrestling - Derbyshire
Haxey Hood - Lincolnshire
The World Egg Throwing Competition - Lincolnshire
World Conker Championships - Northamptonshire
Nurdling - Rutland
Hallaton Bottle Kicking - Leicestershire

Voting closes on February 26th 2010

ENDS

Images of events are available on request

For more information contact:

Bernadette McAndrew/ Lauraine Jordan
East Midlands Tourism
Tel: 0115 988 8365
Email: bernadettem@emd.org.uk / laurainejordan@emd.org.uk

Kirsty McMahon
East Midlands Tourism
Tel: 0115 988 8539
Email: kirstymcmhon@emd.org.uk


* Notes to Editors:

1. Events and descriptions

Hen Racing - Derbyshire
The World Hen Racing Championships have brought an entirely new meaning to "Chicken Run" - not to mention some egg-stra egg-citement to the Peak District.  Each August visitors to the Barley Mow pub in the village of Bonsall are treated to the sight of chickens racing along a 30-foot track, and all under strict world championship regulations!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el3CIrA7QSE

World Toe Wrestling Championships - Derbyshire
First held over 30 years ago, the Bentley Brook Inn now hosts the World Toe Wrestling Championships - a feast of foot foolery, awful wrestling outfits and toe-rifically bad puns.  Contestants sit opposite each other on the Toedium and, locking big toes, place their feet on a small wooden frame, termed the Toesrack.  At the cry of "Toedown", they wrestle both right and left feet in order to get their opponent's foot down.  The organisers have big plans for the event and in 1997 applied for its inclusion in the Olympic Games, however to the disappointment of 'toe fans' it was not accepted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW2qPrifzh8

Haxey Hood - Lincolnshire
When Lady de Mowbary donated land to farmers in the 14th century as thanks for rescuing her bonnet that blew off whilst she was out riding between Haxey and Weswoodside it was on the condition that the chase be re-enacted each year, and today that tradtion is still going strong.  Only instead of farm hands it's four teams, representing the pubs in the neighbouring villages of Haxey and Westwoodside, that do battle to see who can win the "hood" a piece of cylindrical leather and claim it for their team. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHIzximauPE

The World Egg Throwing Competition - Lincolnshire
An eggtastic eggstravaganza with everything from basic egg throwing and catching to relays, egg roulette and build you own egg hurling this is an egg lovers delight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl3pN3lRZa0

World Conker Championships - Northamptonshire
Modern day gladiators fight for glory armed with nothing more than a nut and a 12 inch piece of string on a quaint village green in the village of Ashton in Northamptonshire, for the chance to be crowned Conker World Champion. First organised by Ashton Conker Club in 1965 the event now has an international following.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUBxlvImkSY

Nurdling - Rutland
Every late May bank holiday The Jackson Stops Inn at Stretton plays host to the World Nurdling Championships, where contestants hurl 13 old pennies into a hole drilled into the seat of an oaken settle. The traditional game of Nurdling dates back to the Middle Ages. The current 'Best Tosser' is Don Bentley.

Hallaton Bottle Kicking - Leicestershire
On Easter Monday every year, villagers from Hallaton and Medbourne battle against each other to get possession of a small wooden keg referred to as the 'bottle' and carry it over their finish line, two streams a mile apart. There are various obstacles in to cross before reaching the streams including ditches, hedges and even barbed wire. The game is the best of three with a new bottle being introduced after the previous one is won.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adBjeZRTsGE

2. East Midlands Tourism was established in April 2004 by East Midlands Development Agency and is responsible for improving the skills, quality standards and the value and competitiveness of the tourism industry. The tourism industry has an important role to play in supporting emda's aim to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) which sets out regional priorities until 2020. The RES, coordinated by emda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; 'Prosperity through People' and 'Destination 2010'. For more information on east midlands tourism visit www.eastmidlandstourism.com  

3. East Midlands Tourism works with five Destination Management Partnerships - Experience Nottinghamshire, Explore Northamptonshire, Leicester Shire Promotions, Lincolnshire Tourism and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire. These organisations are responsible for managing their sub region as a tourist destination, working with local stakeholders, and are the first point of contact for businesses and visitors. For more information visit www.discovereastmidlands.com